Most House GOP women in tough races biding time on Trump

WASHINGTON -- Before deciding whether she'll vote for Donald Trump, Martha McSally said she'll spend time "determining what kind of man he is." Mia Love says some comments by the presumptive Republican presidential candidate need "some sort of explanation," while Renee Ellmers backs him because he's "a problem solver."

McSally, Love and Ellmers are not women interviewed randomly on the street. They're Republican members of the House, among five GOP congresswomen facing competitive re-election races whose reactions highlight the hard choices Trump's provocative statements are forcing on his own party.

Each of the five must confront a question with political and personal implications: Will you support your party's standard-bearer, knowing his history of comments about women that many consider offensive? Trump has called some women a "dog," a "fat pig" or "flat-chested," republished a tweet dubbing Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly a "bimbo" and accused likely Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton of using "the woman's card" to win votes.

"I think it puts all women in an awkward position," Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., whose seat is safe and is a leader of the House GOP campaign committee, said of Trump's effect on female Republican lawmakers. "And I want to see that tone and temperament changed."

Trump, of course, is causing angst across the GOP.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., has withheld his endorsement, citing questions about policy and party unity while giving cover to hesitant rank-and-file Republicans. Male congressional Republicans in difficult races and women in secure seats also are distancing themselves.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., the House's top-ranking GOP woman, said last week she is voting for Trump, though "not exactly" with enthusiasm and "vehemently" opposes his remarks about women, the disabled and others.

For the five GOP women fighting to preserve their House careers, the perils are obvious. Rejecting Trump could alienate his energized supporters, jeopardizing needed votes. Embracing him might cost support from women, Hispanics and others he's angered with incendiary comments and invite criticism for backing a man who has repeatedly insulted their own gender.

"They're going to have to do some deep soul-searching and really think about, 'Is Donald Trump's Republican Party a party they feel comfortable in?'" said Alixandria Lapp, executive director of the House Majority PAC, which backs Democrats in House campaigns.

A New York Times-CBS News poll last week showed Clinton leading Trump by 17 percentage points among women and trailing among men by 5 points.

Most of the five GOP women in close races have been cautious when discussing Trump, instead emphasizing their focus on their district's needs and Clinton's vulnerabilities as a candidate.